Muslim worshippers have once again held their morning prayers outside al-Aqsa mosque compound, Jerusalem’s most contested holy site, despite Israel’s removal of the metal detectors that sparked the protest.
Wednesday’s prayers came a day after Israel seemingly capitulated to the demands of protesters. But Muslim religious leaders have called for prayers to continue outside until delicate arrangements at the site, holy to both Jews and Muslims, return to what they were before Israel installed new security measures. Those measures came after Arab gunmen shot and killed two police officers from within the site.
Israel says the measures are necessary to prevent further attacks while Palestinians claim Israel is trying to expand its control.
Israel decided to remove the metal detectors it installed. It says it plans to install new security cameras instead.
